Built on the foundation of a glorious vaudeville house turned movie palace, the 5th Avenue Theatre avoided a 1970s wrecking ball to become one of the most gorgeous venues for musical theatre in the country. Outfitted in magnificent Chinese reds and oriental moldings, this Seattle landmark is worth a visit for its architecture alone.
But the real cause for celebration is 5th Avenue’s increasing presence as a major player on the regional and Broadway scene. With a seven show season featuring a mix of national touring companies and first rate, lavishly produced local productions, 5th Avenue has in just a few short decades become one of the most prestigious production houses on the west coast. In 2003, the 5th Avenue turned a new corner in its history by hosting the pre-Broadway try-out for the smash hit musical Hairspray. Subsequent world premiere productions of The Wedding Singer, Shrek the Musical, and Catch Me if You Can have turned Seattle and 5th Avenue into one of the most highly sought venues for new musicals on their first stop to the Great White Way.
5th Avenue Theatre Information
- Public Transportation: Very Good (a 3-minute walk from several buses, and the LINK Light Rail at 3rd Avenue/University Street)
- Handicapped Accessibility: Good
- Performances/Programs: 7 shows per season with multiple performances of each
- Ticket Prices: $22–$90, at select performances, tickets for people 25 and younger $20, discounts available for groups of 10 or more, no ticket exchanges for non-subscribers
- Subscriptions: Five-Show $139–$439; Six-Seven-Show $159–$519; discounts for 30-and-unders. Benefits include free parking, free ticket exchanges, and lost-ticket replacement.
